Will AAP live up to the expectation of Indian people?

The new political party in India, which has created a sensation for its harsh anti-graft policies and simplicity in politics and government, appears to have landed into controversy. The Aam Aadmi Party (APP) recently formed government in Delhi, defeating established big political organisations and earned praises for some people-oriented measures. But the government of the new party has also rattled a few feathers, raising controversy at home and abroad about its style of functioning. The question that has now come to the fore is: will the new party and its government be able to live up to the expectations of the electorate?

When a less than a year-old political party formed the government in the important Delhi state in India hardly a month ago, many rubbed their eyes in utter disbelief. The reason was obvious. How could such a new organisation with leaders at the helm who have virtually no knowledge about politics made such a stunning record? Yes, this has been a record indeed in the sense that the Aam Aadmi Party (the party of common man) demolished two main Indian political parties - the ruling Congress and the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - in the polls. The Congress was dethroned from power and was relegated, with a mere eight seats, to the third position in the 70-member house of the Delhi state. The BJP gained and emerged as the largest group with 32 seats, but fell short of the required seats to form the government. The offer for the new government then came to the APP, which bagged 28 seats, surpassing all predictions. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal did not immediately jump to form the government. He instead took time to assess whether the electorate would relish his government even though the party could not secure an absolute majority. He was convinced that the people wanted him to form the new government since they were disenchanted with the two major paries and looked for a change. Arvind Kejriwal took oath as the chief minister in a rather sensational political development. He beat in the elections Congress chief minister Sheila Dikshit convincingly, making his electoral debut against the two-time chief minister.

It was all possible because the APP emerged in the political scene of the country with a promise of making every effort to curb corruption, particularly in the higher echelons. It promised to give maximum facility from the government to the common people, who are mired in myriad problems. The APP said the woes of the masses know no bounds and hence is the need for a government for the Aam Aadmi, the common people.

 In the first decision of the government, drinking water was made free for the people with certain ceiling and other means were being explored like very cheap transportation, electricity,   etc. that would directly benefit the people. The chief minister came to take oath riding a metro train and jettisoned unnecessary security arrangements. All these heralded something new in India - world's largest democracy of 1.20 billion people. Although, the leftists did near-similar things before in states like Kerala and West Bengal, the APP caused a storm in the corruption-ridden political milieu of India which is controlled by typical conventional politics.

Earlier, elderly Gandhian Anna Hazare caused a stir in India by launching an anti-graft movement that drew the attention of the nation to the perilous state of affairs in governance of the country. He called for drastic laws to eradicate corruption, but the Congress-led coalition government dragged its feet. However, finally, the laws were enacted only recently.

Arvind Kejriwal, a former income tax inspector, was one of the close associates of Hazare who is keen to maintain a non-political character of his movement. But Arvind and some others felt that it is difficult to implement the programmes that they were espousing unless political support is available. So, they decided to float a political party and made debut in the electoral race of important Delhi state with instant success. Now, they would seek to expand their political arena with eyes fixed on national elections scheduled in April/May this year. It is understandable that the task is difficult for a new party, but the APP is planning in that direction.

The tasks before the APP is daunting. But it is not impossible to attain them. People will understand the new Delhi government's limitations. What they want is the sincerity and honesty on part of those who would govern them. The APP stands for this innovative thought in the Indian political arena and it is for this reason the party has elbowed out established big parties in the Delhi election.

However, what has come as bad news for the new party is the controversy surrounding some decisions like the chief minister himself leading a Dharna before the central home ministry, which controls the police. Arvind says the police are largely corrupt and are not assisting in Delhi government's anti-graft actions. Besides, law minister Somnath Bharati caused a stir by launching a midnight operations in the African-inhabited areas of the capital in a bid to crush "prostitution and drug" rings. This has drawn flak from the central government and also from some foreign quarters. The APP is also not free from infighting as a legislator has been suspended for making comments against the chief minister. All these are creating negative impression about the party that is planning to contest the coming national polls. Will the APP be able to overcome such negativities and live up to the expectation of the people?  

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